Travel with Moores: March 2022

Holy City of Medina -

(from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia) - March 31

We spent one full day going to the holy city of Medina from Yanbu.

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam, after the holiest city of Mecca and is followed by the 3rd holiest city, Jerusalem.

Medina has been a destination for pilgrims for centuries.
The vast Prophet's Mosque (holds up to one million people) in the city center, aka Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, encases the green dome built above the tomb of Muhammad and other major prophets.

Medina is celebrated as the place from which Muhammad established the Muslim community after his flight from Mecca (622 ) and is where his body is entombed.

The Qiblatain, or Quba Mosque, the oldest mosque in the world, is known as the site where the Prophet Muhammad received the command to change the direction of prayer to Mecca.

Observant Muslims usually visit Muhammad Al-Baqi Cemetery in Medina, the oldest Islamic cemetery, which contains graves of many of many Islamic prophets. Sitting below Uhud Mountain and Archer's Mountain, they all have significance to the Islamic religion.

The rest of the area is occupied by the Hejaz Mountains, empty valleys, agricultural spaces, wild camels, older dormant volcanoes, much construction, and sand.

Outside Quba Mosque, oldest one

Uhud Mountain

Archers mountain

Womens prayer entrance to Mosque

Uhud Mountain, cemetery and Mosque

Insde exterior of Prophets Mosque

Prophets Mosque interior

Lunch stop in a hotel

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - March 29/30

Viking's 1st time in Saudi Arabia. Jeddah was very strict with its entry requirements.

Saudi Arabia's second-largest city, Jeddah, has played a dual role throughout its history. Located on the eastern shores of the Red Sea, it was a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes in the 7th century. It also became a gateway for Muslim pilgrims arriving by sea on their journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina--a role that continues to this day.
A modern multicultural city, Jeddah's heritage is seen in the distinctive architecture and bustling souks of its historic Old Town.

After our arrival and me mistakenly using the men's room in the terminal, my friend Beth and I set out for a "Women Only" bus and walking tour of Old Town Jeddah, to hear the perspective of changes in the Kingdom from a female point of view.
From our bus, we saw the world's highest flagpole and the world's largest fountain
(fountain is only on after 5:00 pm and with many led lights. The Middle East seems to have a fixation on the highest and biggest).
Also, we saw many modern buildings and seafront parks. At night it resembles Las Vegas with all the lights.

We enjoyed our interesting tour of the historic Old Town and hearing the "call to prayer" bells, which occurs 5 times a day. When the bells ring, everything stops for 10 minutes while the Muslims go to prayer.

The unique architecture of Old Town and its "Rawashin,” or balcony, are the prominent traditional wooden panels used to cover windows and external openings. These let air in and also allowed females to look out, but not be seen from the street.
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Arabian Desert Sunset Safari in Bedouin-style camp.
A fun evening in the desert outside of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Entertainment, low loungers and tables, camel rides, music, tents for relaxing and dining, freshly mixed and baked pita bread, grilled meats, and many tasty treats for all. Low lights all around, a night under the stars in a great desert setting.

A few glitches, one bus got stuck in the sand, so the riders had to double up on other buses for the return trip, and a few buses got lost on the way. But a happy ending for all.